“For the Last Week, We Have All Been East High Scarlets”
Cheerleaders representing all five DMPS high schools were part of the community-wide support shown to East seniors.
So what was all the hubbub about?
There’s a riddle in here somewhere. How does a team win a game that was never played?
Because that’s what happened yesterday at Williams Stadium.
Better late than never the East High Scarlets had the Senior Night celebration that was originally scheduled for last Friday night’s game when the visitors never showed. Maybe you heard about it.
The only reference to that unfortunate turn of events was a veiled one. DMPS Interim Chief of Schools Matt Smith, subbing for Superintendent Dr. Tom Ahart who was out of town on duty at a Council of Great City Schools meeting in Milwaukee, made some opening remarks.
“For the past week we have all been East High Scarlets,” he said.
Then he told the crowd that retired DMPS counselor Patricia Tice, who worked for many years at Lincoln and whose late nephew was an East football captain, had donated $1,000 towards recoupment of the revenues lost when last Friday’s scheduled opponent no-showed.
After that it was Senior Night business as usual except that instead of Friday night lights there was a setting sun shining on the proceedings. Seventeen football players, nine cheerleaders and three color guarders were recognized. Each in their turn was named and came forward through a gauntlet comprised of cheerleaders from all five of the district’s high schools. Side-by-side the honorees lined up with their families on the track: 4.0+ student…National Honor Society…National Council on Youth Leadership…wants to go to medical school…you get the idea.
The last word on the events of the last week was an ovation of appreciation.
And then it was time for the regularly scheduled sophomore game between East and Ankeny Centennial to begin. Rank has its privileges so the sophs understood about the seniors stealing the show. But it was good to get back to normal.
Tonight the Scarlets are due in Sioux City for their regular season finale. They’ll be there.
The Iowa Lottery has a vested interest in convincing us that “You can’t win if you don’t play.” Generally, no, but in some cases…
East side pride remains undefeated. And for a week at least, it’s all over town.
